Web-based point of sale builder
This invention provides a system and a method for online, web-based point of sale (POS) building and configuration, which can assist non-expert business operators in building, editing and testing a point of sale system to manage their businesses. The business operations range from a single branch to a large chain of stores or branches. The key advantages of the Web-based POS builder are that it is completely built on the foundation of the Web. The POS builder is accessible anywhere in the world. It can be used by a person of any skill level. The POS builder builds, edits, and tests new POS terminals in real time.
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This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/198,117, filed Jun. 30, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/012,666, filed on Feb. 5, 2008, which are both herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, and assigned to a common assignee.
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONSThis application is related to, filed on Feb. 26, 2007, Ser. No. 11,710,722 and, filed on Feb. 26, 2007, Ser. No. 11,710,723, which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThis invention relates to a system and a method for building a point of sale (POS) system to manage business operations. The business operations range from a single branch to a large chain of stores or branches.
More particularly this invention relates to an online, web-based point of sale builder method, which can assist nonexpert business operators in assembling a point of sale system to manage their businesses.
Description of Related ArtCurrent practice in the field of assembling point of sale systems includes manually coding front-of-screen information. Typically, this front-of-screen information contains menu selections, page selections, and general answers to business questions. This front-of-screen menu is typically manually coded by a business expert with the help of a programmer or data expert. Also, currently the entry of this front-of-screen information requires intimate knowledge of a complex interface to a front-of-screen programming language. In summary, current practice includes the manual building of a point of sale (POS) screen. This manual process requires defining the position and operation of touch screen keys and their database correspondence. Currently, only specially trained people can build or change POS screens. This manual POS building and editing is prone to mistakes and is time-consuming. Since POS screen changes are difficult and prone to error, store owners tend to retain older, inaccurate, out-of-date POS screens in order to avoid the POS screen editing process. Also, current POS screen editing occurs off-line with the testing of the screens occurring at a later date, at a remote store location. The following references represent prior art in the field of screen configuration building.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,428 (Eisenbrandt et al.) describes a control system with a user configurable interface, particularly suitable for use in connection with appliances. Users can configure display screens either at a point of sale location or at home with a personal computer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,080 B1 (Kolls) describes a universal advertising and payment system and method for networking, monitoring and advancing electronic commerce and controlling vending equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,091B1 (Cohen et al.) discloses a configuration builder useful in configuring software containing hardware units which are serviced by a center which services a multiplicity of similar units having a plurality of different configurations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,426 (Goodwin) describes a system and method of transferring information between a first software application and a second software application which employ an isolation layer. The system includes a client computer system provided by a first seller of computer systems, including a client software application, and a server computer system provided by a second seller of computer system.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is the objective of this invention to provide a system and a method for building a point of sale (POS) system to manage business operations. The business operations range from a single branch to a large chain of stores or branches.
It is further an object of this invention to provide an online, web-based point of sale builder system and method, which can assist non-expert or expert business operators in assembling a point of sale system to manage their businesses. This point of sale building operation can be done in real time from anywhere in the world.
The objects of this invention are achieved by a web-based point of sale (POS) builder comprising one or more point of sale terminals, which display POS, screens, an Internet connection to a web server, one or more local or remote PC workstations, and point of sale builder software which runs on said web server. Local or remote workstations can be utilized to build or edit said POS terminals in real time, from anywhere in the world and over the world-wide web.
As an example only,
This automatic online POS builder will reduce the development time for POS screens by weeks. In addition, the store operator will be able to edit the POS screens and its relational databases any time as often as desired. In addition, the store operator will be able to edit, change and test the screens within minutes in real time. The store operator can iterate these changes instantly until he gets the desired screen appearance. This real-time testing and iteration of screen designs is an important feature of this invention. This feature motivates the store operator to keep his screens up to date and accurate. Previously, the store operator would avoid updating screens, since it involved the time and expense of working with programmers off line.
A relational database stores all of its data inside tables. All operations on data are done on the tables themselves. Some operation produce other tables as the result. A table is a set of rows and columns. Each row is a set of Columns with only one value for each. All rows from the same table have the same set of columns, although some columns may have NULL values. A NULL value is an “unknown” value. The rows from a relational table are analogous to a record, and the columns are analogous to a field. Below is an example of a relational table.
There are two basic operations one can perform on a relational table. The first one is retrieving a subset of its columns. The second is retrieving a subset of its rows. The field names such as company describe the content of the columns of the relational table. The rows delineate the individual records stored in the relational tables.
As transactions are created at a POS a log entry for the newest transaction is also created, this log entry is used to flag if the transaction has been uploaded to the web server. Part of the POS application, the BO interface is continuously running in the background. This component reads the log of transactions. If a transaction needs to be sent, it tries to send it. If the send fails (for example, if the connection to, or the Internet itself, is down), it goes to sleep and tries again later. Additionally, the BO interface requests update from the BO such as new items, price changes, employees, etc. The POS terminals communicate via HTTP protocol (hypertext transfer protocol) 35 with Back-office BO software, which is implemented on web servers 36, which can be located anywhere in the world. In addition, the BO software and data can be viewed from any store employee at any PC 33 who has Internet access 37 and a password.
The POS such as 31 send transaction data to the BO in the form of an HTTP post or communication. The packet 35 sent from the POS to the BO consists of transactions, employee clock, customer add/update, item add/update, promotions and more. Promotions are configured in the back office and associated with items or customers or departments. For example, a promotion may be associated with a customer to implement customer loyalty points or a promotion may be associated with a certain item for a % discount. A client who is the store manager or owner selects a promotion type, associates it with an item, department, etc, then sets the parameters that control ho that promotion works. These transaction transmissions between the POS and the BO can be encrypted to insure privacy and security. A typical encryption method is 128 bit SSL (secure sockets layer). A further element of security is that each BO client (individual POS, store or multi-store owner) gets their own instance of a database. When they log into the BO they are attached to their own relational database associated and validated via their user login and password.
When creating a new POS, Block 51 brings up a screen such as that shown in
In
The key advantages of the Web-based POS builder are that it is completely built on the foundation of the Web. The POS builder is accessible anywhere in the world. It can be used by a person of any skill level. The POS builder builds, edits, and tests new POS terminals in real time. In addition, all screen designs and changes are reflected real-time into the back office (BO) server's screen database. For example, all screen designs inputted from any PC in the world appear instantly in the BO screen database, which is instantly viewable anywhere in the world via web browsers. Another big advantage is that all screen design software is located and executed in the BO server. Since all screen designs and changes are immediately visible from any manager's PC at their home or at headquarters, there is always management oversight of these changes. Therefore, this screen builder allows for local in-store flexibility by the individual store operator or manager, but also provides for corporate visibility of screens instantly for control and standardization. Also, this screen builder does not require the need for any server to be located in the store. Another advantage of this system is the use of standard PC and web architecture which offers both full-scalability without degrading system performance. This results in improved performance and lower cost of implementing these business systems. There is a lower cost associated with projects developed with the technology of this invention due to the flexibility of easy design changes and well-understood software. There is less training required for programmers and system testers. Projects can draw on the huge talent pool in the open source development community. The invention allows configurable software modules for different types of businesses and sales promotions. The invention allows remote monitoring of screen designs from anywhere via the web. There is minimal time required for the implementation and installation of the POS builder system, since the POS builder setup is as basic as a home PC setup. Another advantage is that the POS builder system can be provided as a service or deployed within a corporation. For example, Software as a Service (SAAS) is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet. Another advantage of this invention is that the POS builder system is maintained in customer centric databases, making it impossible for customers to see other's data. Each POS builder system client gets their own instance of a database. When they log into the BO they are attached to their own relational database associated and validated via their user login and password.
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with Reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those Skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without Departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A web-based point of sale (POS) builder system comprising:
- a web server including POS builder software installed thereon;
- one or more POS terminals generated by said POS builder software and said one or more POS terminals configured to be accessible at one or more terminal devices, said POS terminals configured to accept POS transactions and collect corresponding transaction data; and
- a POS builder interface configured to be accessible via network communication with said web server over a communications network;
- wherein said POS builder interface is configured to be utilized to access said POS builder software for programmatically creating or modifying said one or more POS terminals in real time over the communications network, wherein said POS builder software is configured to interact with said one or more POS terminals over the communications network in order for the web-based point of sale (POS) builder system to perform functions in accordance with instructions sent from the POS builder interface;
- wherein said POS transactions and corresponding transaction data from said one or more POS terminals are configured to be transmitted to said web server via the communications network; and
- wherein each POS transaction is correlated with corresponding transaction data occurring at said one or more POS terminals.
2. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein instructions to the POS builder interface for programmatic creation and modification of the one or more POS terminals are not formatted in programming code.
3. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein said one or more POS terminals are tested iteratively in real time while said one or more POS terminals are operable to accept POS transactions.
4. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said POS builder interface and said one or more POS terminals are configured to be implemented without specialized hardware or software at a given terminal device.
5. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein said web server includes a standard internet web server implemented with standard web server hardware and software, using one or more relational databases, wherein software for said POS builder interface resides in and is executed from said web server.
6. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein said POS builder software is configured to provide instructions to add new POS terminals.
7. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein said POS builder software is configured to provide instructions to modify existing POS terminals.
8. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein said one or more POS terminals are configured to be accessible by a web browser.
9. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein said one or more POS terminals, once generated, are configured to operate independently of said web server.
10. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 1, wherein a number, shape and arrangement of selection keys or buttons for said one or more POS terminals are specified from the POS builder interface.
11. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 10, wherein items are associated with said selection keys or buttons from the POS builder interface.
12. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 11, wherein attributes are attributed to said items from the POS builder interface.
13. The web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 12, wherein said attributes are stored, retrievable and changeable from a database stored on said web server.
14. A method of implementing a web-based point of sale (POS) builder system, said web-based point of sale (POS) builder system comprising a network-accessible web server including POS builder software installed thereon, the method comprising:
- providing access to said network-accessible web server by one or more POS terminals, said one or more POS terminals generated from instructions communicated from said POS builder software to respective one or more terminal devices;
- accepting POS transactions via said one or more POS terminals;
- collecting transaction data corresponding to transactions occurring at said one or more POS terminals; and
- providing further access to said network-accessible web server by a POS builder interface via a communications network, said POS builder software configured to programmatically create or modify said one or more POS terminals in real time over the communications network;
- wherein said POS builder software interacts with said one or more POS terminals over said communications network in order for the web-based point of sale (POS) builder system to perform functions in accordance with instructions sent from the POS builder interface;
- wherein said POS transactions and corresponding transaction data from said one or more POS terminals are transmitted to said network-accessible web server via a network connection; and
- wherein each POS transaction is correlated with corresponding transaction data occurring at said one or more POS terminals.
15. The method of providing a web-based point of sale (POS) builder system of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises testing of said one or more POS terminals iteratively in real time while said one or more POS terminals are operable to accept POS transactions.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein said one or more POS terminals are accessible by a web browser.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein said one or more POS terminals, once generated, are operable independently of said network-accessible web server.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein a number, shape and arrangement of selection keys or buttons for said one or more POS terminals are specified from the POS builder interface.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein items are associated with said selection keys or buttons from the POS builder interface.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein attributes are attributed to said items, said attributes stored, retrievable and changeable from a back office database stored on said network-accessible web server.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 27, 2017
Date of Patent: Sep 25, 2018
Patent Publication Number: 20170300301
Assignee: CLOUDOFCHANGE, LLC (Poughkeepsie, NY)
Inventors: Wayne Baratta (Poughkeepsie, NY), Quentin Olson (Port Townsend, WA)
Primary Examiner: Rokib Masud
Application Number: 15/635,097
International Classification: G06Q 10/00 (20120101); G06F 8/30 (20180101); G06F 8/34 (20180101); G06Q 30/06 (20120101); G06Q 20/20 (20120101); H04L 29/08 (20060101);